Job Title: Research and Planning Associate Position Type: Part-time/Contract
Salary: Depending on qualifications Deadline: August 23, 2013
Length of Term: Temporary - This is a grant funded position expected to last 12 months
ABOUT BLUE ISLAND
Blue Island (population 23,706) is located just outside the City of Chicago’s corporate limits and forms part of the south suburban area. From a regional perspective, Blue Island is strategically positioned in the heart of the region’s transportation infrastructure. The City is home to an extensive network of freight and commuter railroads, waterways, Interstate highways, and is accessible from Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport. These attributes connect the City to the region and country, opening its door to unique economic and physical development opportunities. On a variety of fronts the City is making strides to better capitalize on these attributes.
NATURE OF WORK
The City of Blue Island adopted its Comprehensive Plan in May 2012 with technical assistance from CMAP through its Local Technical Assistance Program. The Plan outlines the community’s shared vision for sustainable growth for the next 15-20 years along with detailed implementation actions to help achieve that vision. Blue Island’s downtown, the Uptown neighborhood, thrived until the 1970s when Western Avenue was reconfigured to function as a one way, southbound street. This loss of connectivity led in part to disinvestment in the area which has created a unpleasant streetscape, particularly for pedestrians. Blue Island’s comprehensive plan recognizes the impact of this decline on the entire City of Blue Island and has thus made recommendations to revive the city’s downtown and beyond.
The selected individual will be tasked with managing the implementation of elements of the Blue Island
Comprehensive Plan, including but not limited to the following:
Reconfigure Western Avenue and Gregory Street as two way “Complete Streets”
Create compact and attractive commercial nodes along Western Avenue
Undertake small-scale and low-cost infrastructure improvements
Integrate the Western Avenue initiative into other planning and development activities in and
around Blue Island’s downtown
The position requires analytical thinking and problem-solving, team-oriented participation, excellent
human relations, interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills, good public presentation and
customer service skills. Knowledge and experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS, Photoshop and
Publisher is preferred. This position will be supervised by the Planning Director.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Collect, compile, and analyze complex information and data and prepare reports
Facilitate public outreach/participation/education for the various city initiatives;
Search for and writes grant applications,
Prepare maps, charts and other graphic materials for staff reports, public meetings, displays and
other reference materials
Interface and coordinate with community members, stakeholders, and public officials to
promote implementation of the above-mentioned elements, including serving as a point person
for agencies that require action on behalf of the project,
Attend meetings as necessary, some of which may fall outside of traditional business hours. 13051 Greenwood Avenue
Blue Island, IL 60406
www.blueisland.org
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or a closely related
field. Candidates should possess a demonstrated ability to maintain an effective working relationship with
community leaders, public agencies, co-workers, the general public, and a successful track record of
completing complex tasks on deadline. Knowledge or experience with GIS, architectural design, Special
Service Areas and mixed use developments best practices is desired. A strong familiarity with Chicago’s
south suburbs is a plus.
HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered applicants should send resume, cover letter and three references by August 23, 2013 to:
Nicholas Crite, Planning Director, 13051 Greenwood Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406 or
ncrite@cityofblueisland.org
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In the heart of Chicago, we offer degrees in fields of study that can change your life and change the world. CUPPA students and alumni are uniquely skilled to build and transform sustainable urban neighborhoods and communities and to address the challenges presented in the 21st century. Find our more about our Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees at cuppa.uic.edu.
Follow our job postings below and our national job tweets at @CUPPACareers. For student internships and student opportunities, head to the CUPPA Student Opportunities Blog
Have a job or internship to post? Send an email with the title, location, job description, and contact information to cuppa@uic.edu